Posts Tagged ‘Division of Travel and Tourism Development’

Parades and fireworks highlight the 4th of July holiday period in New Hampshire.

More than 1 million out-of-state visitors are expected to spend in excess of $155 million over the Fourth of July holiday, according to the Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

Spanning nine days between June 29 and July 8, the holiday period officially kicks off New Hampshire’s busiest travel season. Overall, DTTD expects a record-breaking 2018 summer travel season drawing more than 3.4million visitors who will spend $1.8 billion.

“The Fourth of July is a critical time for businesses and attractions throughout New Hampshire that draw visitors to experience outdoor adventures such as kayaking, biking, ATVing, and camping that are so popular during the summer months, as well as the state’s tax-free shopping,” said DTTD Director Victoria Cimino. “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from throughout the Northeast and beyond.”

The majority of people visiting the state during this holiday period will travel from New England and the Middle Atlantic states. Outdoor recreation, patriotic events and visiting friends and relatives are popular activities during the Fourth of July period.

Last year, Governor Sununu proposed the division of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, creating the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Since its approval by the Legislature, this new agency has been a catalyst for increasing opportunities for New Hampshire to modernize and vastly improve the focus and practice of how we do economic development.

This couldn’t have happened at a better time. The practice of economic development has changed drastically over the past decade. States and cities are moving away from the longstanding focus on government-run business recruitment and standard worker ‘unemployment training’ programs that gave little thought to what might come next for those workers.

What does this mean for New Hampshire?

It means we can hone in on the needs of our businesses here first, and leverage our business community with our state’s regional strengths to develop a compelling case for new businesses to come here.

It means we build new, more innovative strategies to recruit talent to our state.

It means connecting education and training directly to employers and jobs.

It means a new, more aggressive entry into the global marketplace to find opportunity for our small businesses seeking new markets.

It means refreshed, meaningful relationships with our state’s incredible network of public and private academic institutions, linking them with state policymakers and business leaders statewide.

It means working to update and increase the predictability of the state’s regulatory environment and use our small and agile government as a true advantage.

It means constructing new partnerships and collaborations across a broad universe of stakeholders to focus on building communities where people want to live and work and telling that story effectively and to as many people outside the state as we can.

New Hampshire’s economy is growing fast. Companies are expanding or moving here, and people are working. In fact, in 2017, New Hampshire’s economy was the second fastest growing economy in the nation and our unemployment rate remains low.

My goal is to build this new system and create an economy that is resilient, vibrant, collaborative, intentional, and protects what we love best about New Hampshire.

The new Department of Business and Economic Affairs has the tools it needs to get there. We have the widely-respected Division of Travel & Tourism Development, which has a marketing team that is among the best in the nation and stokes the engine of New Hampshire’s crucial hospitality economy. In 2017, its work helped generate 2.23 million visitor trips to New Hampshire, which yielded $5.5 billion in spending, maintaining 48,000 jobs, and generating $269 million in tax revenue for the state.

Our Division of Economic Development helps businesses connect to, and fund, job training; works with existing and new business leaders to finance and expand their economic footprint; guides companies seeking to access global markets or win government contracts, and helps drive our entrepreneurial economy. Its work has direct impact on the profitability of our state’s employers and creates value for the state and residents.

The combined teams are creating new stakeholder collaborations, integrating marketing efforts and strategies, and working hard to establish New Hampshire as a leader in holistic, collaborative state economic development.

I look forward to working with you.

Taylor Caswell
Commissioner
New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Stay connected with New Hampshire tourism onFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand YouTube, and follow the #LiveFreeNH tag to see what other people are saying about a Limitless Winter in New Hampshire.

At a media reception Nov. 10, prior to the Boston.com Ski & Snowboard Expo, DTTD unveiled its winter marketing campaign,position New Hampshire as the premier wintertime destination in the Northeast.

“Offering limitless opportunities within close proximity, New Hampshire is the leading destination for wintertime outdoor recreation in the Northeast,” said Victoria Cimino, director of DTTD. “With the division’s strategic and nationally-recognized innovative marketing initiatives, paired with favorable economic factors, we are confident New Hampshire’s tourism-focused businesses and attractions will experience a strong winter season this year.”

Nearly 10 million people are expected visit New Hampshire to see the fall colors over the next several weeks and will spend over $1 billion, reflecting an increase over last year’s foliage season.

Tourism is New Hampshire’s second largest industry and the foliage season draws people from around the world. This year, visitation, at 9.75 million people, will be 4 percent over last year and spending, at $1.5 billion, is a 5 percent increase from 2016, according to the Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

DTTD anticipates robust travel over the Columbus Day holiday, the state’s third busiest travel weekend, representing nearly 10 percent of all fall season visitations. Over that holiday weekend, about 710,000 visitors will spend more than $100 million – marking 5 percent increases in both visitation and spending compared to Columbus Day 2016.

“The continued growth in visitation and spending underscores tourism is a critical driver of New Hampshire’s economic infrastructure,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “The fall tourism season, particularly viewing foliage and enjoying varied outdoor recreation, is a major contributor to New Hampshire’s tourism businesses and attractions.”

During foliage season, the largest percentage of visitors comes here from outside New England. Research partners point to a number of positive indicators, including consumer spending, consumer confidence, employment growth, wage growth, and travel expenditures, as supporting a strong fall season. Reasonable gas prices and somewhat lower domestic airline ticket prices will also bolster visitation and spending.

DTTD’s blog/video series Live Free with Kris continues through the foliage season highlighting New Hampshire’s hidden gems.

Taylor Caswell becomes first commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.

Taylor Caswell was sworn in by Gov. Chris Sununu as the first commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs on Tuesday afternoon.

The new department was created July 1 by an act of the state legislature. In his new role, Caswell will oversee the Divisions of Economic Development and Travel and Tourism Development.

“I look forward to continuing to strengthen New Hampshire’s economy as the first commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs,” Caswell said. “Through increased collaboration and finding new ways to enhance the state’s role as a partner, we will provide increased opportunities for existing and potential Granite State business owners, help create jobs for our citizens, and continue to grow as a destination for visitors from near and far.”

Caswell, a resident of Hollis and Littleton native, was most recently the executive director of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, where he served for three years. As commissioner of the BEA, he brings more than 20 years’ experience from the public and private sectors, including as the New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a small business owner, and more than a decade in Washington D.C.

The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs was established to provide focused leadership on the mission of expanding the state’s economy. The Department’s two major missions include providing a broad, integrated and collaborative set of economic development and tourism industry supports for New Hampshire businesses, its communities, and the people who live in them.

Stay connected with New Hampshire tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, and follow the #livefreeNH tag to see what other people are saying about summer in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development expects more visitors to spend more money this summer, compared to last. State tourism officials project New Hampshire will see 17 million visitors, who will spend $2.25 billion throughout the summer, a 4 percent increase in both visitation and spending.

Marking the beginning of New Hampshire’s busiest travel season, the Fourth of July week is expected to draw nearly one million out-of-state travelers and generate more than $150 million in spending from June 30 to July 4.

DTTD unveiled its summer marketing campaign earlier this spring, showcasing the ‘limitless’ activities, destinations and events offered throughout New Hampshire this summer.

“New Hampshire welcomes millions of visitors each year, generating billions of dollars in annual spending,” said Jeffery Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. “The summer travel season represents more than 40 percent of annual visitation and spending.”

DTTD anticipated increased overnight visits, extended weekend and day trips over last summer. DTTD research partners cited a number of economic indicators suggesting a successful summer tourism season, including a 10-year low in the unemployment rate and growth in U.S. travel volume.

Similarly, DTTD is expecting increases in occupancy rates at resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments and campgrounds over the Fourth of July period compared to recent years. During the Fourth of July period, visitors will travel here from New England and Middle Atlantic states.

The New Hampshire winter forecast calls more visitors and more spending, according to the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

During the months of December, January and February, DTTD projects 8.2 million people, 6 percent more than last year, will spend $1.2 billion, up 5 percent from last winter.

The announcement was made last weekend at the Boston.com Ski and Snowboard Expo, where visitors noticed New Hampshire’s expanded presence differentiating the state’s ski and snowboarding experiences from regional and global competitors.

To drive continued visitation with key target audiences throughout the winter season, DTTD is highlighting the activities and backdrops available throughout New Hampshire, on the slopes and off, through a variety of media and with an emphasis on digital media.

“With so much to do in such close proximity, New Hampshire is the center of winter outdoor recreation in the Northeast,” said Victoria Cimino, director of DTTD. “With positive economic factors in place, coupled with the division’s strategic and innovative marketing initiatives, we fully expect New Hampshire’s travel-related businesses and attractions to experience a strong winter season.”

For more information about winter activities in New Hampshire, click over to www.VisitNH.gov

New Hampshire’s fall colors will attract 9.5 million visitors this year, who will spend $1.4 billion.

With its renowned foliage and outdoor recreation options, New Hampshire tourism officials predict a record-breaking fall season, expecting a 5 percent increase in visitors and a 6 percent increase in spending over last year.

Given a stronger economy and overall increased spending trends, coupled with the Division of Travel and Tourism Development’s strategic and innovative marketing initiatives, New Hampshire is projected to receive 9.5 million visitors and realize $1.42 billion in direct spending this fall.

Officials expect travelers from key New England and Middle Atlantic markets, as well as overnight visits from more distant states such as Florida, California, and Texas, to increase.

“Last year, New Hampshire saw more than 39 million visitors, which marks a 5 percent increase over the previous year and those visitors spent $5.5 billion, a 7 percent increase over the previous year,” said Jeffrey Rose, commissioner of the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. “The fall season is a significant contributor to New Hampshire’s tourism economy.”

“Ongoing research continues to indicate travelers are visiting New Hampshire due to the abundance of activities within accessible proximity,” said Victoria Cimino, DTTD director. “Utilizing a data-driven approach, the division is making strategic decisions in its efforts to position New Hampshire as the premier tourist destination in the northeast. Fall is an exciting and beautiful time in the Granite State. New Hampshire offers the perfect backdrop for living out the adventures of the season.”

To drive continued visitation with key target audiences, DTTD has launched an advertising effort to highlight the vast array of activities and backdrops available throughout New Hampshire.

Fueled by favorable gas prices and weather forecasts, about 950,000 people are expected to visit New Hampshire over the Fourth of July weekend, spending about $145 million; last year, about 900,000 were in the state to celebrate Independence Day.

The July 4th holiday, which officially kicks off the summer season, is the busiest travel period in New Hampshire, with most coming from around New England and the mid-Atlantic states. Lodging facilities and campgrounds will likely see a sizable increase in occupancy rates over last year.

Outdoor recreation, visiting attractions, patriotic events and visiting friends and relatives are popular activities during the Fourth of July Holiday period.

VisitNH.gov, the website of our sister agency, the Division of Travel and Tourism Development, is a great resource for finding events and adventures in New Hampshire. Stay connected with New Hampshire tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube and follow the #livefreenh to see what others are doing this summer in New Hampshire.

More than 7.5 million people are expected to visit New Hampshire this winter season, a 5 percent increase from last year and they are predicted to spend over $1 billion, 7 percent more than last year.

The winter outlook and a preview of the Department of Resources and Economic Development’s winter marketing campaign were unveiled Dec. 17 at the Littleton Welcome and Information Center.

DRED, in collaboration with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, joined with state and local officials and members of the state’s tourism industry to kick off winter operations at the state’s three seasonal centers in Colebrook, Lebanon, and Littleton, which are reopening for the season as part of a pilot project.

Commissioner Jeffrey Rose

“The winter season is a significant contributor to the overall health of the state’s travel sector, producing more than $1 billion in visitor spending,” said DRED Commissioner Jeff Rose. “The three seasonal welcome and information centers provide New Hampshire with significant marketing potential for visitors coming to the state.”

“DOT and DRED have worked collaboratively on the management of the state’s Welcome and Information Centers, providing important services to the motoring public,” said DOT Commissioner Victoria Sheehan. “The seasonal facilities that are reopening today, along Interstate 93, 89 and along US Route 3, are all major entry points in the northern and western parts of New Hampshire.”

During the event, the state previewed its winter marketing campaign, which encourages visitors to Make Tracks in New Hampshire this winter.

“The ‘Make Tracks’ campaign is a refreshed, integrated approach that leverages the popularity of skiing, while encouraging visitors to explore more of what makes New Hampshire the best destination in New England when the mercury drops,” said Division of Travel and Tourism Director Victoria Cimino. “It’s rooted in the ability to experience the season on your own terms, knowing that whatever path you take, it’s going to lead to fun and adventure.”